Thailand and Malaysia have heightened airport screening measures due to two instances of the lethal Nipah virus in India. The virus, transmitted from infected animals, particularly fruit bats, to humans, has a case fatality rate of 40 to 75 percent, as per the World Health Organization. While it can be transmitted from person to person, it rarely does so, resulting in contained outbreaks.
Nipah was first identified in Malaysia in 1999 and has since caused sporadic outbreaks in Bangladesh and India. The virus primarily spreads through contact with infected fruit bats or consumption of contaminated fruit products. Symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle pain, and in severe cases, neurological signs and respiratory problems.
Although Nipah is a dangerous disease, experts believe it is not easily transmissible among humans globally. However, it remains a significant public health concern in countries where outbreaks occur frequently. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or treatments for Nipah, but ongoing research, including vaccine trials, is being conducted to combat the virus.